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Drennan Super Specialist Barbel Hooks

G

Gale Light

Member
I've used these in small sizes for years and never had a problem. Always impressed with strength for their size.
Tonight used a packet of size 6 and had two small fish open them up and four others lose their piint on first fish.
Anyone else had any issues ?
 
Had problems with hook points turning over as well and stopped using them due lost fish. Drennan Specimen Plus are my go to hook now, very strong in the smaller sizes. Well worth a look.
 
I've ever had any issues Gail,maybe you were unlikely enough to get a duff batch?

I experienced something similar when using Korum C3 hooks not long after they came out - never used them since.
 
I now use the Drennan cryogen classic hook after having a few hooks open up. I really can't fault these, once in they really stay in.
 
I dropped them last year after experiencing the same.
Points going over or snapping, bends snapping or straightening and variation in the eye regarding angle and gap.
Strangely enough, the size 10 and 12s seem fine and I'm still using those. But the larger sizes went down in my estimation rather rapidly.

Switched to Fox Kuro S4 XS and had no problems but they're getting hard to find now, just a packet or two here and there.
Was given a pack of Starbaits something or other last week which look like they'll be up to the job.
Will be trying them for the next few weeks and if no problems I'll be stocking up.
 
Joe Winstanley said:
I experienced something similar when using Korum C3 hooks not long after they came out - never used them since.
Click to expand...

Yes Joe, they weren't the strongest hook on the market were they!
I had a size 6 open out on a splasher when I was chub fishing on the Wey, they were consigned to the bin.
Going back further in time, a group of us were at the start of a 6 day stint on the Avon and most of us stocked up on Drennan Specialist 10's for caster work in a local shop.
We'd all been using them for a while without any problems. By the Tuesday however, 3 of us had lost barbel due to the hooks opening out. After comparing notes in the pub that evening it was unanimously agreed to return them to the shop the next morning! Obviously a bad batch.
Lots of good hooks available now though, ... I have used Fox Armor for years in 10's without a problem as well as ESP Raptor T7 in 8s and 9s which are my other favourites, got to look for a replacement soon since the Raptors have been discontinued of course.:mad:
 
Pallatrax " The Hook " all day long for me. NEVER, had one open up. Although i recently got a job lot of Korda Kurv Shank for a very good price, but yet to try them. :)
 
Derek Funcks said:
Pallatrax " The Hook " all day long for me. NEVER, had one open up. Although i recently got a job lot of Korda Kurv Shank for a very good price, but yet to try them. :)
Click to expand...

I had a size 8 Korda Kurv snap a while back.Very unusual to have a hook snap like that but it was a hit and hold situation and it was under extreme stress.
 
I have never thought them strong enough,though my friend still uses them.Had a Pallatrax hook open, sight fishing 10 plus years ago, on a known 13lb barbel they went in the bin Thicker wire carp style hooks are always the way to go,why take a chance on the fish of a lifetime straightening a hook. Have plenty of ESP raptors for normal fishing and plenty of Nash fang gaper d/s for serious snag fishing (a horrible heavy hook, but the size 8 or 10's have the wire of a size 2 hook and will never straighten).
 
Had a bad experience with SS Barbel several years back where I lost a very good fish, when the hook opened up. Now tend to use Korda Wide Gape and Wide Gape Extra.

Also re mention of Pallatrax "The Hook", tried those after plenty of recommendations; however I suffered from quite a few hook pulls, so they got binned too.

Each to their own.....
 
Never had an issue with the original Nash Fang in any size. Was a bit miffed when they changed them, but managed to find a source - so bought loads especially size 8. Very robust hook and tended to retain a sharp point.

I tended to use Fox SSC if I wanted a smaller sized curve shank (ESP curve shanx are very similar).

Came across a stock of another favourite reliable hook - the Owner C3 Tsuoyshi (50923).
When you buy hooks loose and in higher numbers, you discover how damned expensive the packets of 10 are. Gave less than £30 for 500 genuine Tsuyoshi size 8 through Harrison.

Will be having a thin out of hooks soon.
Cheers
Bob
 
Gwyn Jeffs said:
I dropped them last year after experiencing the same.
Points going over or snapping, bends snapping or straightening and variation in the eye regarding angle and gap.
Strangely enough, the size 10 and 12s seem fine and I'm still using those. But the larger sizes went down in my estimation rather rapidly.

Switched to Fox Kuro S4 XS and had no problems but they're getting hard to find now, just a packet or two here and there.
Was given a pack of Starbaits something or other last week which look like they'll be up to the job.
Will be trying them for the next few weeks and if no problems I'll be stocking up.
Click to expand...

Yeah, small sizes fine for me too. I contacted Drennan. Bloke just said that he'd used them for years without a problem and " the larger sizes are more likely to open up because the gape is wider ".
 
I had similar issues, and also had issues on a couple of packets and couldn't get on with the inturned eye.

Moved to Kamasan Barbel Maxx some years back and never looked back. ESP grippers are also very similar but a slightly thicker gauge which i use in the larger sizes for carping on the tidal Trent.
 
Gale Light said:
Yeah, small sizes fine for me too. I contacted Drennan. Bloke just said that he'd used them for years without a problem and " the larger sizes are more likely to open up because the gape is wider ".
Click to expand...

I've only ever used them in sizes 11 & 12 as they are perfect for fishing maggots and casters. I've had plenty of doubles on them with no issues at all, if I needed anything bigger I've always used a Fox SSPB or SSSP in sizes 8, 9 or 10.

I'm no engineer, but the explanation given doesn't seem very plausible to me - in other words, he's saying the larger sizes are not as strong?!
 
Dave Taylor said:
Yes Joe, they weren't the strongest hook on the market were they!
I had a size 6 open out on a splasher when I was chub fishing on the Wey, they were consigned to the bin.
Going back further in time, a group of us were at the start of a 6 day stint on the Avon and most of us stocked up on Drennan Specialist 10's for caster work in a local shop.
We'd all been using them for a while without any problems. By the Tuesday however, 3 of us had lost barbel due to the hooks opening out. After comparing notes in the pub that evening it was unanimously agreed to return them to the shop the next morning! Obviously a bad batch.
Lots of good hooks available now though, ... I have used Fox Armor for years in 10's without a problem as well as ESP Raptor T7 in 8s and 9s which are my other favourites, got to look for a replacement soon since the Raptors have been discontinued of course.:mad:
Click to expand...

I've just discovered that Fox no longer produce the Arma-points, the replacement 'edges' hooks only start at size 8. B@gger!

I think I've got enough size 9 and 10 SSSP/SSBP's to last another season - but what then?! They were perfect for my style of fishing.
 
Hi men ,

Joe , i recently purchased some fox edges curved style hooks in a 6 after rave reviews about how sharp they were from the packet , tbh never found they were above average compared to nash fangs and korda curves ?.

Hatter
 
Joe Winstanley said:
I've just discovered that Fox no longer produce the Arma-points, the replacement 'edges' hooks only start at size 8. B@gger!

I think I've got enough size 9 and 10 SSSP/SSBP's to last another season - but what then?! They were perfect for my style of fishing.
Click to expand...

So that's both my favourites that have got the chop,... :mad:
Why change something that's not broken? All about rebranding like they do for detergents .!
I loved the SSSP's for casters, very strong, wide gape, short shank with non reflective coating , so, ... very unobtrusive when hair rigging small baits.
Fortunately, I've got a good stock, but they won't see me out.:rolleyes:
 
Mark Anderson said:
Hi men ,

Joe , i recently purchased some fox edges curved style hooks in a 6 after rave reviews about how sharp they were from the packet , tbh never found they were above average compared to nash fangs and korda curves ?.

Hatter
Click to expand...

I think the lesson is, when you find terminal tackle that you have 100% confidence - buy several seasons worth before it gets discontinued! Korda hooks are v.sharp, I do use them for carp, just too big for barbel for me.
 
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